Eccentric-rod



(No Model.)

1 KIRKEVAAG. EOCENTRIO ROD.

No. 388,735. Patented May 29, 1888.

mvm'rom WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES PATENT ()rrica.

PETER KIRKEVAAG, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 383,735, dated May 29, 1888.

Application filed February 7, 1888. Serial No 263,242. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PETER KIRKEVAAG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Youngstown, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented or discovered a certain new and useful Improvement in Eccentric- Rods, of which improvement the following is a specification.

The invention herein relates to certain improvements in that class or kind of valve mechanism wherein the eccentric-rod is connected to the rocker arm or other device through which motion is imparted to the valve by a hook or other similar device, in order that the rod may be disengaged from the valve-stem or rocker for working the valves by hand in stopping and starting the engine, or for any other purpose. It will be readily understood that in large engines, the eccentric-rod and its strap being quite heavy and the friction of the rapidly-revolving eccentric on its strap being considerable, it will require considerable exertion on the part of the engineer to uncouple the eccentric-rod from the rocker-arm.

The object of the invention herein is to obviate the necessity of raising the eccentric-rod for the purpose of disengagingit from connection with the valve; and in general terms the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of devices, all as more fully'hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan View of the end of an eccentric-rod having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, and Figs. 3 and 4 are detail views.

In the practice of my invention the front or free end of the eccentric-rod 1 is preferably formed with two side bars, 2, having longitudinal slots 3 formed therein of sufficient length to admit of the free traverse of the rod due to the movement of the eccentric without contact with the pin 7, from which the valve is operated during such periods as'the eccentric-rod is unhooked. The outer ends of the side bars may be connected byablock, 4, firmly fastened in place by bolts or rivets, as shown, or the end portion may be forged integral therewith. Between these sidebars and at a point near their junction with the body of the rod is pivoted a latch, 5, provided with a transverse notch or hook, 6, constructed to fit around the pin 7 of the valveoperating mechanism when the latch or block is adjusted in position between the side bars. The body portion of the latch or block is made of such alength' that its ends will bear against the ends of the opening formed by the side bars, thereby preventing any strain being borne by the pivot-pin 8, which is so located as to permit of the block or latch being turned up from the opening aforesaid, and when turned down thereinto to allow the rear end of the block or latch to bear firmly against the rear end of the opening. The latch is held in operative position by a screw, 9, passing through the block 4., and provided at its inner end with a conical point engagingasimilarlv shaped opening, 10, in the front end of the latch, said opening being so located with reference to the point of the screw that the latter will in entering said opening 10 draw the latch more firmly into operative position. Fig. 2.) v

As above stated, the pin 7 is passed through the slots 3 in the side bars, 2, and being adjusted into proper position lengthwise of the slots the latch is turned down into the hook or notch 6, fitting over the pin 7, as shown. The screw 9 is then turned in, thereby causing its point to engage the opening 10 and draw the latch firmly into position. When it is desired to stop the engine,either for reversing or working it by hand, the screw 9 is turnedback and the latch raised, thereby permitting the eccentricrod to slide back and forth on the pin 7 of the valve-operating mechanism without moving the latter, and thus leaving the valves to be worked by hand as desired. When it is desired to again connect the eccentric-rod to the valve rocker-arm, the latch is turned down and the rockerarm or eccentric-rod shifted until the hook 6 engages the pin 7.

In lieu of constructing the end of the eccentric-rod as above described,alongitudinal slot may be formed therein and the latch pivoted to the side of the rod; and, if desired, the latch or locking-block 5 may be made directlymovable into and out of the opening in the rod, suitable guides being provided therefor. In

some cases the eccentric-rod may be made solid, the latch or block being pivoted on the side of the rod.

I claim herein as my invention- (See I 1 The combination of an eccentric-rod and 4. The combination of an eccentric'rod proa movable latch for connecting said rod to vided with slotted side bars,avalve-operating I 5 valve-operating mechanism, substantially as pin fitting in the slots in the side bars, alatch set forth. provided with a hook for locking the pin to 5 2. The combination of a slotted eccentricthe eccentric-rod, and a lock for holding the rod, a valve-operating pin, and a movable latch in position, substantially as set forth.

latch or block provided with a hook for en- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my 20 gaging said pin, substantially as set forth. hand.

3. The combination of an eccentric-rod pro- PETER KIRKEVAAG IO vided with slotted side bars, a valve-operating pin in the. side bars, and a latch provided with Witnesses: a hook forlocking the pin to the eccentric-rod, O. LEYWOOD DUTTON, substantially as set forth. WILLIAM S. DOUGLAS. 

